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State Department Official Charged with Lying About Gifts from Chinese Agents

by Ken Schwartz

   A long-time U.S. State Department employee has been arrested on charges
   of lying to investigators about numerous contacts and gifts she got
   from Chinese intelligence agents.

   The Justice Department says Candace Marie Claiborne pleaded not guilty
   before a federal judge.

   Claiborne has been a State Department Office Management Specialist
   since 1999. She had a top-secret security clearance and was posted to
   embassies and consulates in Baghdad, Khartoum, Shanghai and Beijing.

   Prosecutors allege Chinese officials showered Claiborne with tens of
   thousands of dollars in gifts when she was there, including cash,
   computers, meals, travel and an apartment.

   Prosecutors say in exchange for cash, a Chinese intelligence agent
   asked Claiborne to provide internal U.S. government analysis of a
   U.S.-Chinese economic conference.

   Clairborne is charged with failing to tell the FBI about her contacts
   with the Chinese agents -- a requirement of her top-secret security
   clearance -- and obstructing what the Justice Department calls an
   "official proceeding."

   Justice officials say Claiborne "used her position and her access to
   sensitive diplomatic data for personal profit," and say U.S. employees
   will be held accountable if they fail to honor the trust placed in
   them.

   Claiborne faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted.